MUHAMMAD Selim Hossain, an M.S. student of the Department of Geography and Environment, University of Dhaka, was awarded the National Disaster Management Media Award -2009 in recognition of his writings on the issue of disaster management to build nationwide awareness. In observance of 'International Day for Disaster Reduction', Disaster Management Bureau, Ministry of Food and Disaster Management organized a national level programme at the National Museum Auditorium. Food and Disaster Management Minister Dr. Abdur Razzak as chief guest and Professor Dr. Ruhul Haque as special guest awarded him the crest and a cheque for Tk. 20,000.

Muhammad Selim Hossain has been writing informative features on Environment and Disaster Management issues. He is a young contributor to 'The Daily Star', 'The Independent' and 'The New Nation'. He is an activist of Poribesh Bachao Andolon (POBA) and member of Bangladesh Youth Eco Forum.

BU annual cultural programme held

THE Annual Cultural Programme of the BRAC University (BU) was held at the National Museum Auditorium in the city on 23 November amid wonderful enthusiasm and colourful festivities. The Cultural Club of the BU organised the function. The BU Cultural Club also introduced an on-line radio station on the occasion of its annual cultural soirée. Professor Md Golam Samdani Fakir, Pro-Vice Chancellor of BU, formally inaugurated the cultural programme and the radio station as special guest at the function. Dr Zainab F. Ali, Director of Students Affairs, BU also spoke on the occasion.

The cultural show included songs, dances, poetry recitations and many more. Ferdous, Asif, Topan, Imtiaj, Tamanna, Sun, Rifat and Kabir, among others, performed in the function, which was presented by Miftah and Joyee. The theme of this year's cultural programme was 'Save the environment by creating more green'.

Cambridge Examinations top performers awarded

University of Cambridge International Examinations (CIE) and the British Council jointly organised Cambridge Outstanding Achiever Awards ceremony on 13 November to recognise the top performing Bangladeshi Students in Dhaka at the Radisson Water Garden. The ceremony recognised students who have achieved the highest marks in a single Cambridge O Level or International A/AS Level subject, or a group of subjects, in the November 2008 and June 2009 Cambridge examination session. Among the top performing students, nine students have outperformed thousands of students worldwide to achieve the prestigious “Top in the World” award, five have won an impressive five awards each. CIE also presented Cambridge Inspirational Teacher Awards at the ceremony. Eight teachers have been nominated by their schools in recognition of their commitment to the Cambridge programme.

The awards ceremony was graced by UGC Chairman Professor Nazrul Islam and British High Commissioner in Bangladesh Stephane Evens. Charles Nuttall, Director of British Council, Bangladesh, Peter Ashton, Director Examination of British Council, Bangladesh, Ian Chambers, CIE's Regional Manager for South Asia and Suzy Chowdhury, CIE's Regional Representative in Bangladesh was present among others on the occasion.

573 students awarded in Khagrachhari

Khagrachhari Foundation awarded 573 students on 7 November at the town hall premises for their outstanding results in different examinations. Chittagong Divisional Commissioner M.A.N Siddiq attended the ceremony as chief guest, and handed over the crests and certificates among the students from different primary schools, high schools, colleges, universities and different madrasa attending. He also handed over crests and certificates to the Khagrachhari Cantonment Public School & College, Khagrachhari Government College, Khagrachhari Government High School, Natun Kuri High School, Rajbari Model Government Primary School and Khagrachhari Islamia Senior Madrasa for their excellence in imparting education. Earlier in the day, a discussion was organized, presided over by Deputy Commissioner Mohammad Abdullah. Additional Deputy Commissioner Gias Uddin Mogal, Additional Deputy Commissioner Mohammad Salauddin, Sadar Upazila Chairman Mohammad Shany Alam, Sadar Upazila Nirbahi Officer Rahed Hossen, and Khagrachhari Government High School Headmistress Sreela Talukder spoke on the occasion.

Moot Court at NU

Department of Law, Northern University, organised Moot Court at the Khulna Campus on 18 November. The students of the 11th and 12th batches of the Department of Law presented the court proceedings. The moot court is an extracurricular activity in which participants take part in simulated court proceedings, usually to include drafting briefs and participating in oral arguments.

North South University Young Entrepreneurs Society (NSUYES) organised a seminar on women entrepreneurship on 18 November at the NSU campus. M.A. Kashem, Chairman of NSU Foundation was present as the chief guest while Vice Chairman of NSU Foundation Ragib Ali and Vice Chancellor Dr. Hafiz G.A. Siddiqi were present as special guests. Pro VC Dr. SAM Khairul Bashar, Treasurer Professor Sirajuddaula Shaheen, Dean Dr. Golam Mohammad, woman entrepreneurs Sara Zaker and Anika, Faculty Advisor Sohail Mostafa, Md. Fahad Ifaz and Mamoon Al Bashir also spoke on the occasion. The speakers mentioned that the fascinating world of entrepreneurship is vast. It is challenging but it is full of opportunities and potentially very profitable and fulfilling. The speakers also stressed on the importance of the young generation considering entrepreneurship as a viable, desirable and respectable career.

Merit Scholarship Award Ceremony At EWU

The Merit Scholarship Award Ceremony of East West University (EWU) for the fall Semester 2008 & 2009 was held on 25 November 2009 at the University Auditorium. A total of 30 students received merit scholarship for the fall semester 2008 and 2009. Prof. Jalaluddin Ahmed, President, Board of Directors, East West University graced the programme as the chief guest and distributed certificates among the merit scholarship recipients. Professor Dr. Mohammed Sharif, Vice Chancellor presided over the programme.

The chief guest recalled the introduction of the scholarship program and praised the founders of the university, the faculty members and the students for combined and coordinated efforts in making the East West University into what it is today. Professor Dr. Muniruddin Ahmed, Pro-Vice Chancellor and Colonel Murtoza Ali (Retd), Registrar, East West University also spoke on the occasion.

Celebration of UN Day at DU

Samia Tamrin Ahmed

THE United Nations turned 64 this year on the 24 October. To commemorate this day, United Nations Youth and Students Association of Bangladesh, UNYSAB in collaboration with the Voice of Business arranged a seminar at the auditorium of the Business faculty at the University of Dhaka (DU) on 25 October. United Nations Information Centre, UNIC also presented the programme alongside UNYSAB to the students of University of Dhaka. Sheikh Md. Erfan Uddin, Executive Vice President, UNYSAB, and Kazi Ali Reza, Head of UNIC were present in the event as the main speakers.

Md. Erfan Uddin spoke about the glorious years of the UN. Kazi Ali Reza talked about the UN, its history, evolution, and successes. The relations of Bangladesh with the UN were also discussed. Md. Muniruzzaman, Reference Officer, UNIC was present and read out the UN day message by the Secretary General of UN, Ban Ki Moon. A quiz on United Nations was one of the attractions of the program, and all students present participated in the quiz. Kazi Ali Reza awarded the winners with prizes. A presentation on UNYSAB was shown to the students at the Business faculty. It portrayed all events and activities UNYSAB is involved with throughout the year. The Voice of Business, a business related magazine printed by the Business students at DU also had a presentation about its organization.

Workshop at IUBAT on Economics and Education for Sustainability

Department of Economics, International University of Business Agriculture and Technology (IUBAT), organised a workshop on “Economics and Education for Sustainability” on 18 November. Pro-Vice Chancellor IUBAT Prof Mahmuda Khanum was the chief guest, while Chairman of Department of Economics Dr M A Jabber presided over the meeting. Eminent economist from Warwick University, UK, Prof Dr. Robin Upton and faculty of Department of Agriculture Dr. Mohammed Ataur Rahman spoke on the occasion. Chandan Kumar Sarkar, Faculty of Economics Department moderated the Workshop

Speakers expressed concern of the current economic system in global socio-economic context. The workshop discussed comprehensively the factors responsible for global worming causing human tragedy and suggested measures to be taken to combat calamities by protecting nature in our day to day life.